2024 NFL draft prospect rankings: Cornerbacks

— BONUS: Caelen Carson (Jr., Wake Forest, 5-11, 193)

I wish Carson had more ball production, but he's a fiery competitor who wins with physicality in coverage and against the run. The four-year starter is also experienced in both man and zone coverage, and versatile enough to play inside or outside. Carson has missed 11 games the last three seasons, and wasn't able to participate in the Senior Bowl and combine because of a strained left foot. Projected: Rounds 3-5

— BONUS: Andru Phillips (Jr., Kentucky, 5-10, 190)

The former three-star recruit was ranked No. 1 in the nation in the triple jump as a senior in high school. Phillips didn't record an interception in college, but he's battled-tested and features inside-outside versatility. The scheme fit will be critical, but he'll have special teams value right away (12 career tackles on kick and punt coverage). Projected: Rounds 3-5

— BONUS: Jarvis Brownlee (Sr., Louisville, 5-10, 194)

Brownlee spent three up-and-down years at Florida State before joining the Cardinals. He was voted the top cornerback on the American Team during practice at the Senior Bowl, and also had an interception in the game. Brownlee is an aggressive press corner with average size, but above-average competitive toughness. Projected: Rounds 4-5

— BONUS: Nehemiah Pritchett (Sr., Auburn, 6-0, 190)

Pritchett is long, lean, and extremely fast. He's special with the ball in his hands. He averaged 27.3 yards per interception return in his career, and 31.3 yards per return as a kick returner his junior season. Pritchett's tackling technique leaves a lot to be desired, and he's inconsistent downfield with his back to the ball, but NFL teams are always in the market for the traits he possesses (speed and play-making ability). Projected: Rounds 4-5

— BONUS: Josh Newton (Sr., TCU, 5-10, 190)

Newton started 59 games across five seasons in college, starting at the University of Louisiana-Monroe before transferring to Fort Worth in 2022. He could thrive as a press-man coverage defender, but there was definitely a dip in play last season compared to when he first joined the Horned Frogs (especially against Texas' talented group of receivers). Projected: Rounds 4-5

— BONUS: Jarrian Jones (Sr., Florida State, 5-11, 190)

Jones was the No. 18 safety in the 2019 recruiting class and committed to Mississippi State. He transferred to Tallahassee the next season after head coach Joe Moorehead was fired. His impressive performance at the combine was a significant boost to his draft stock. Jones tied for the fifth-fastest 40-yard dash (4.38), sixth-highest broad jump (10-9) and eighth-highest vertical jump (39.5) among all defensive backs. The three-year starter was the first Seminoles player in history with a interception, sack, tackle for loss, forced fumble and fumble recovery in the same game. Jones has inside-outside versatility and he's dangerous around the ball, but he's battled numerous nagging injuries throughout his career. Projected: Rounds 4-6

— BONUS: Elijah Jones (Sr., Boston College, 6-1, 185)

Jones was an accomplished sprinter in high school and it shows on the field. He earned first-team All-ACC as a super senior and produced seven interceptions and 28 passes defensed his final 20 games in college. He lacks discipline at times (six pass interference penalties over his last 16 games), but he features the mentality required to play man coverage at a high level in the pros. He played on punt coverage all six seasons in college and has experience as a gunner (11 career tackles on special teams). Projected: Rounds 4-6

— BONUS: Decamerion Richardson (Sr., Mississippi State, 6-2, 188)

The former three-star recruit barely touched the football in his four seasons with the Bulldogs. Richardson only had 10 passes defensed and no interceptions. However, he's an excellent tackler. He led all SEC cornerbacks in tackles both his junior and senior seasons. There's a lot of work to do in coverage, but his top-tier size and elite speed (4.34 40-yard dash at the combine) are catnip for defensive coaches. Projected: Rounds 4-7

— BONUS: Renardo Green (Sr., Florida State, 5-11, 186)

The former three-star recruit has alternated between cornerback and safety during his five years in Tallahassee. He features an average size/speed combination, but he was a second-team All-ACC corner, while producing 14 passes defensed and only allowing one reception of 20-plus yards last season. Green's play in the 2023 opener against LSU's elite receivers got everyone's attention. Projected: Rounds 4-7

— BONUS: Kalen King (Jr., Penn State, 5-11, 190)

King led all cornerbacks in the country with a 93.3 overall grade and an 18.3 passer rating allowed in single-coverage as a sophomore for the Nittany Lions, according to Pro Football Focus. However, his play took a significant step back in 2023 and he hasn't tested well during the draft process. Projected: Rounds 4-7

— BONUS: Dwight McGlothern (Sr., Arkansas, 6-1, 185)

The former four-star recruit spent two years at LSU, but transferred to Fayetteville following head coach Ed Orgeron's departure. McGlothern allowed only one catch of more than 15 yards in 2023, and led the Razorbacks in interceptions and passes defensed in each of the last two seasons. His outstanding route recognition is indicative of a former wide receiver (he played the position at a high level as a prep). He's long and disruptive, but he's an average athlete who will need to develop his technique in the pros. Projected: Rounds 5-7

— BONUS: Qwan'Tez Stiggers (Toronto Argonauts, 5-11, 204)

Usually CFL players are free to sign with NFL teams once they complete their contracts, but Stiggers' case is different because he never played college football. After winning the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie award — he produced five interceptions and 12 passes defensed — he declared for the 2024 NFL draft (and was released from his Toronto contract). Stiggers earned positive reviews at the East-West Shrine Bowl in February, but was snubbed by the NFL combine. He recently showcased his talents at a pro day, providing solid measurables while running a 4.45 40-yard dash. Stiggers would only be the fourth player in the common era to be drafted into the NFL with no collegiate playing experience. Projected: Round 7-PFA

— BONUS: Daequan Hardy (Sr., Penn State, 5-9, 179)

Hardy is a finesse nickel with explosive athleticism and above-average ball skills, but he's just a bystander vs. the run. There are durability concerns primarily based on his size, but he could earn a gig as a punt returner in the pros while he's competing for snaps. Hardy averaged 14.6 yards per return in 2023 for the Nittany Lions, and became the first player in school history to score multiple punt-return touchdowns in the same game (vs. Massachusetts). Projected: Round 7-PFA

— BONUS: Micah Abraham (Sr., Marshall, 5-9, 185)

Abraham's father (Donnie) was a third-round pick in the 1996 NFL draft and produced 38 interceptions in a nine-year NFL career with the Buccaneers and Jets, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2000. He's currently the defensive coordinator for the St. Louis BattleHawks in the UFL. Abraham was a five-year starter who played safety and cornerback for Thundering Herd. He's undersized, but he's fast and the ball skills didn't fall far from the tree — he produced 11 interceptions and 50 passes defensed the last three seasons. Projected: PFA

— BONUS: Tyrek Funderburk (Sr., Appalachian State, 5-11, 186)

The Richmond transfer is a hard-hitting playmaker with eight interceptions (three pick-sixes) and 26 passes defensed the last two seasons for two different programs. Funderburk needs to become a more consistent tackler, but he features adequate size and premium speed. Projected: PFA